Is there such a thing as ‘catching up’/getting ‘back on track’ with pleasure for reading? Ways to bring a story alive in KS1

Bringing story to life through a modern classic picture book.

An introduction to ESSENTIALspelling

Michelle Nicholson introduces ESSENTIALspelling, an exciting new resource from Herts for Learning.

Come outside! Taking learning outdoors

Dip into a host of activities for outdoor learning.

Rosenshine’s principles of instruction applied to the teaching of spelling

This is a blog packed with practical activities and ideas to support with spelling instruction, and linked to Rosenshine’s principles of instruction.

Planning for reading and writing with a common literary focus

Once you start looking at subjects and themes across your favourite books, this type of planning becomes compulsive. Try these ‘wolfie’ ideas to get...

Letters and sounds: a note of reassurance

Michelle Nicholson explores background to the government’s announcement about the revisions to the Letters and Sounds phonics programme, and considers...

Holding on to writing for pleasure in the drive to address gaps

With the current emphasis on assessment and closing the gaps, it is important that we don’t lose the ambition to develop children who write for...

Shared reading of the lockdown kind: delivering parent/carer support sessions remotely

Reflections on the delivery of parental support sessions for reading using remote learning platforms.

Thoughts about getting back on track in English in 2021

Penny Slater considers what the best approach might be for supporting children to get back on track in English.

Is it really possible to get back on track in English in 2021?

Lorraine Hemmens, Deputy Head Teacher at Hertingfordbury Cowper C of E Primary School, provides an honest review of the Herts for Learning Back on...